Making Learning Visible — A Conversation on Visible Grading with Dave Nagel

What if grading didn’t signal the end of learning, but instead helped students see where they are, where they’re going, and how to get there?

In this episode, Brad is joined by Dave Nagel, educational consultant, coach, and co-author of Grading Visible Learners: Learning With Fluidity, Not Finality, for a thoughtful conversation on Visible Grading and its connection to student learning.

Dave unpacks how traditional grading practices can unintentionally shut learning down—and how visible grading shifts the focus from point accumulation to clarity, feedback, and growth. Drawing from research connected to Visible Learning, Dave shares practical ways educators can make grading more transparent, meaningful, and supportive for students and teachers alike.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What “visible grading” really means in classrooms

• How grading can support learning rather than finalize it

• Why clarity and feedback matter more than points

• What convinces skeptical educators to rethink grading practices

• Practical shifts teachers and leaders can make without overhauling everything

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or school leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about grades—and how they impact learning.